Plastic Free July: 7 Simple Swaps to Reduce Your Plastic Waste lifestyle
We’ve all heard about how important it is to recycle to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in our oceans and polluting the environment. Yet, recycling is simply not enough to combat the plastic pollution crisis that our planet is facing. Did you know that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans? So it is crucial that we find more ways to reduce our plastic consumption and waste that go beyond just recycling. Here are a few simple swaps you can make to help you reduce your plastic waste today!
How to Get Started
The first step to living a zero waste lifestyle is to educate yourself on plastic pollution. Watching a documentary or listening to a podcast are great ways to find motivation and inspiration to begin your sustainable, zero waste journey!
Zero Waste: Taking Action
If you’re finding it hard to take action, try following these basic principles which will help you reduce your plastic waste significantly. The 5 R’s rule is essentially the order in which to reduce your waste to optimise a zero waste lifestyle!
7 Simple Switches to Reduce Your Waste
Now for the fun part! Here is a list of 7 simple lifestyle changes you can start making today to reduce your plastic waste and help save our planet.
1. Use Plastic-Free Reusable Cups
Did you know that plastic is one of the biggest contributors to Earth pollution? Switching to reusable water bottles and cups can make a huge difference to combatting plastic pollution. Try to stick to using a plastic-free reusable water bottle and coffee cup instead of purchasing plastic water bottles and coffee cups.
Take a look at some of our stylish sustainable water bottles and travel cups here.
2. Switch to Refillables
We all know that there are certain products that we simply can’t cut out of our lives. Everyday items such as hand wash, cleaning products, shampoo and conditioner are a few examples of essential products that are usually packaged in plastic containers and then thrown away after a single use. Switch to refillable products which you can use to replenish your reusable dispensers, instead of having to repurchase plastic packaged products.
Take a look at some of our amazing refillable products to help you live a more sustainable life.
3. Use Shampoo and Conditioner Wash Bars
If you want to take your zero-waste lifestyle to the next level, try using shampoo, conditioner and wash bars. When you throw out a shampoo bottle it eventually ends up in a landfill along with tonnes of other pollutants. The best thing about using biodegradable beauty bars is that they simply disappear when they run out!
Take a look at our zero waste beauty products including the Solid Shampoo Bar from Centred, and the Gentle Foaming Cleanser Bar from SBTRCT.
4. Use a Menstrual Cup
Periods are a natural part of life, but sadly feminine hygiene products such as period pads and tampons are huge contributors to landfill waste. Consider switching to a sustainable menstrual cup, which is designed to be sanitised and reused for years, meaning there’s less waste to clog up our landfills. The best part about using a menstrual cup is you’re also saving tons of money on expensive pads and tampons!
Check out Yoni’s Reusable Menstrual Cup which can last up to 10 years!
5. Shop at a Farmer's Market
Have you ever been to a supermarket and felt disappointed that the majority of the fruit and vegetables are unnecessarily packaged in plastic bags? Well, shopping at a farmer’s market helps you cut down significantly on the amount of plastic packaging that a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables come in at the grocery store.
6. Make Your Own Plastic-Free Snacks
Another great way to reduce your plastic waste is to make your own snacks instead of buying them from the supermarket as they almost always come in plastic packaging. This will not only help you reduce your plastic waste but will also lead to healthier non-processed snack options!
Take a look at this easy and delicious Homemade Granola Bar Recipe
7. Compost Your Food Waste
Composting is a great way to reduce your overall waste. Composting food waste can be as simple as burying food scraps in the ground which helps hold important moisture in the soil. Composting not only helps reduce your overall waste, but also reduces your plastic waste since you’ll be throwing away less food and therefore using less plastic bin bags!